Reports to:
The Paralegal will report to the designated Line Manager, Partner and/or Managing Officer.
Department: Immigration, Belfast
Job Overview: The Paralegal will be responsible for dealing with delegated work within their own areas of competence and achieving performance targets as set by the practice. The Paralegal will provide expert legal support and advice to clients. Also, he/she will be responsible for offering support to the Line Manager, Partner, Managing Officer, other Head of Departments, Directors and/or the CEO. He/she will be responsible for dealing with their own caseload (including admin duties) and dealing with clients. Furthermore, he/she will be expected to train and mentor more junior staff members (if needed) and positively promote quality of service to clients, raising the quality level and creating new business for the Practice whenever possible.
The Paralegal will also provide exceptional customer service and business support to Oracle Law Global and be responsible for general day-to-day office administration in our Belfast office. They will be the first-person clients and visitors will meet, and a first impression is key and will be expected to positively promote quality of service to staff members and clients, raising the quality level whenever possible.
This role is client facing and office based, Monday to Friday 5 days per week and may include travelling to Courts and the Home Office.
Purpose/Main Objectives: To support all Practice decisions, carrying out any actions required. To provide any support required by the Line Manager, Partner, Managing Officer, other Head of Departments, Directors and/or the CEO. To act on behalf of the Line Manager, Partner, Managing Officer, other Head of Departments, Directors and/or the CEO as required. To be alert when acting for clients of other legal services they may require and to refer clients to other departments within the firm when it is appropriate.
Responsibilities & Duties:
- Receive incoming calls, forward them to the relevant person or take a message as required
- Meet and greet all visitors, clients and walk-ins into the office
- Receive, scan and allocate all incoming post
- Perform all scanning, printing and allocation all documents when required
- Organise all consultations – In-person and on Teams
- Ensure the offices and associated rooms are clean and tidy
- Investigate and action all interpreter requests
- Deal with delegated cases as required, reporting progress to the Line Manager, Partner, Managing Officer, other Head of Departments, Directors and/or the CEO
- Prepare documentation, potential hearings; prepare all aspects of cases, issue proceedings, this list is not exhaustive
- Liaise with clients and other professionals such as lawyers or Judges or other third parties in a prompt and professional manner; or attend court with the client in complex disputes;
- Always act in a trustworthy and confidential manner; have integrity and sensitivity;
- Ensure quality of service levels are to standard;
- Follow internal methods, policies, and procedures as set by the Office Manual;
- Remain informed of changes in any area of specialisation, such that service quality is always maintained. Carry out file reviews as appropriate;
- Dealing with correspondence, adhere to accurate and comprehensive file management and maintenance practices of caseload according to company policy and procedures;
- Maintenance of diaries & time recording;
- Work as part of a team and give concise and reasonable instructions;
- Conduct legal research and gathering of relevant information on a case. This includes researching the facts of the case as well as identifying the appropriate law, judicial decisions, and legal articles relevant to the case;
- Draft legal documents. This can include drafting correspondence and pleadings, such as complaints, notices, orders, and legal briefs with various parties;
- Taking statements from witnesses and other parties; interviewing clients and passing on
relevant information;
- Carry out other types of administrative duties such as billing, invoicing, time recording, compile litigation bundles, dealing with correspondence, collect and organise evidence
- Network with clients and build valuable relationships in a way that enhances the company’s reputation and cultivate new business opportunities
- Assist your line manager or solicitor by taking notes, preparing files, and reading court transcripts
- Any other hoc duties as directed by the Line Manager, Partner, Managing Officer, Director and/or the CEO
Skills & Qualifications:
Essential:
- Ability to multi-task and prioritise, and understand the importance of deadlines
- Clear and confident manner
- Highly organised; able to be productive, flexible and simultaneously manage multiple projects and priorities in a performance driven environment
- Superior research skills and data maintenance skills
- Strong client relationship skills; the ability to establish positive, cooperative and professional relationships, both internal and external
- Ensure quality of service levels are met and are to standard
- Good IT skills – familiar with Microsoft office suite
- Be highly trustworthy, discreet, and use good judgement
- Able to work well under pressure, without sacrificing a high attention to detail
- Excellent oral and written communication are essential
- Excellent customer service skills
- Proactive and eager to learn
- Self-awareness and a commitment to using feedback to learn and develop as a professional
- Ability to read, digest and process vast amounts of information into data that can be used in a legal case
- Self-starter, resourceful and the ability to work autonomously; Proactive and eager to learn
Desirable:
- Previous paralegal experience
- Immigration law experience/knowledge
- Civil/commercial litigation experience
Relationships:
- Internal: Supportive to the Line Manager, Partner, Managing Officer, the Directors and/or the CEO, and colleagues
- External: Promoting the Practice wherever possible through business development, PR and quality of service.
